Malcom joined us from Barcelona in August 2019 as one of the biggest transfers ever to join the RPL, and as a marquee transfer in the second season of the Sergei Semak-era.
“We are very pleased with the move because at the moment many European clubs can pay big money for a player, and a move of this level to Russia is the exception to the rule. We are delighted that our club is able to sign such a top quality player” Sergei Semak said at the Malcom presentation press conference.
Malcom made his debut for Zenit the day after his presentation in the 1-1 draw with Krasnodar, However, in only his second game things took a turn with Malcom picking up an injury and missing the next few months of the 2019/20 season.
Malcom scored his first Zenit goal in March 2020 in the 7-1 demolition of Ural and the interrupted pandemic season ended as a good one for the Brazilian, winning a penalty in the Russian Cup final against Khimki, which we went on to win 1-0 as part of the double winning season. Malcom was voted the G-Drive player of the month for June/July 2020 and this would be the first of many individual and club awards for Malcom.
Malcom was able to get on the pitch more during his second season, playing a supporting role for Artem Dzyuba and Sardar Azmoun who were leading the line for Zenit. Injury was still an issue for the player and he only totaled three goals and three assists in the RPL that season.
“I moved to Russia with the Barcelona mentality, always looking for the pass, constant control of the ball, you’re allowed to go one-on-one with someone, but then you need to find your teammate and pass. I spent a year adjusting. Now I understand that I really should shoot more often, and now I know that I can do it well.” Malcom explained.
In the summer of 2021, Malcom changed his squad number and switched from 8 to 10, and that seemed to act as a catalyst for the Brazilian that season. Malcom scored the winner for Brazil in Olympic football final and went on to score eight goals and earn six assists in the RPL that season as Zenit claimed their fourth league title in a row and Malcom’s third.
The 2022/23 season proved to be the best of Malcom's entire career. “I was in the best physical shape in my life. I radically changed how I was preparing for matches and how I recovered from games, as well as changes to my diet and my way of life.”
Malcom scored 23 league goals last season, just behind the RPL record of 25 by Oleg Veretennikov in the 1995 season, he also scored four in the 5-1 win over Krylia Sovetov in April making him only the third Zenit player to do so in the RPL (Alexander Erokhin and Artem Dzyuba being the others).
The 2022/23 season saw Malcom win the league's golden boot, the RPL player of the season and the RPL striker of the season.
“I think I’ve had a fantastic season, the best of my career. I am delighted with how things have been and thank you to everyone who voted for me. I’d also like to highlight Claudinho, who has also had a very good season, we complement each other ” said the Brazilian.
He leaves Zenit ranked 10th player in the club’s goal + pass table in modern Russian history, and as the 22nd highest scorer in club history with 42 goals (only 2 of them from the penalty spot).
Malcom is a four-time champion of Russia, four-time winner of the Russian Super Cup, winner of the Russian Cup and the G-Drive player of the season for 2022/23.
Zenit Football Club thanks Malcom for the years spent in St. Petersburg and wishes him good luck in Saudi Arabia and for his future career!
